65 of the Best Christmas Songs to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
"It's the most wonderful time of the year"
Call us eager, but we think it’s about time to start thinking about our Christmas playlist. (Hey, considering the year we’ve had, it’s never too early to get a cheerful holiday soundtrack ready.)
Whether you’re thinking about family visits, planning a holiday party, starting your shopping list, whipping up some winter cocktails, enjoying a fancy dinner or simply just looking to get into the Christmas spirit, there’s just something about these songs that are guaranteed to have you feeling festive. We’re talking ballads, love songs, kids tracks and the classics from our favorite singers. From “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey to “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” by Bing Crosby. No matter the occasion this holiday season, we've got you covered.
Here are 65 of the best Christmas songs you’ll be playing on repeat from now until December.
3. ‘A Holly Jolly Christmas’ By Burl Ives (1965)
- Genre: Classical
- Run Time: 2:15
This one was actually written by Jewish Composer Johnny Marks. Surprisingly, Marks went on to write a handful of other popular Christmas songs, including “Run Rudolph Run.”
4. ‘Santa Baby’ By Eartha Kitt (1953)
- Genre: Vocal/Easy Listening
- Run Time: 3:26
Not only is it the ultimate anthem about what women really want for Christmas, the song also jumpstarted Kitt to fame.
6. ‘Fairytale Of New York’ By The Pogues (1988)
- Genre: Rock
- Run Time: 4:32
According to The Guardian, the song was created on a wager made by Elvis Costello. Per the outlet, Costello bet Shane MacGowan that he couldn't write a Christmas duet to sing with bass player Cait O'Riordan. We bet he’s happy he took that one. .
12. ‘Run Rudolph Run’ By Chuck Berry (1969)
- Genre: Rock
- Run Time: 2:45
The track was used in the 1990 movie Home Alone during the dramatic airport scene where the family rushes passed security and almost misses their flight. Minus little Kevin, of course.
13. ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ By Bing Crosby (1986)
- Genre: Holiday
- Run Time: 2:45
The lyrics were written by Gloria Shayne Baker in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis when the USSR was spotted constructing bases for ballistic nuclear missiles in Cuba. It was essentially written as a cry for peace.
14. ‘Sleigh Ride’ By The Ronettes (1963)
- Genre: Light
- Run Time: 3:01
The American girl group managed to land their cover of the song on the Billboard's Top Ten U.S. Holiday 100 (multiple times). And did we mention it earned the 26th spot in the Hot 100 back in 2018?
16. ‘Mistletoe’ By Justin Bieber (2011)
One of the newer songs on this list, “Mistletoe” isn’t just a favorite of pre-teens (now adults) with Bieber fever. The song instantly became a hit and now makes its way onto radios and karaoke machines every year.
19. ‘Silver Bells’ By Bing Crosby (1951)
- Genre: Holiday
- Run Time: 3:02
This number was originally sung by Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell in the the 1950s film The Lemon Drop Kid. A year later, Crosby recorded his version.
20. ‘Here Comes Santa Clause’ By Gene Autry (1947)
- Genre: Folk
- Run Time: 2:30
Rumor has it that Autry got the idea for the song after riding in the 1946 Santa Claus Lane Parade in Los Angeles. Per Song Facts, while Autry was riding close to the big man himself, all he could hear were kids chanting “Here comes Santa Claus.”
21. ‘8 Days Of Christmas’ By Destiny’s Child (1999)
Their album of the same name tends to not get the recognition it deserves. But this song in particular (think of it as a 21st century “12 Days of Christmas”) is sure to get stuck in your head.
24. ‘Frosty The Snowman’ By Gene Autry (1947)
- Genre: Folk
- Run Time: 2:53
Although it’s not the original, there’s just something about Autry’s country voice that adds a little something extra to this tune you’ve been singing your whole life.
26. ‘Blue Christmas’ By Elvis Presley (1957)
- Genre: Rock
- Run Time: 2:09
Elvis recorded “Blue Christmas” in 1957 for his Christmas Album, but didn’t release it as a single until 1964. Four years later, he performed it for the first time on the TV special, Elvis.
27. ‘Silent Night’ By Celtic Woman (2006)
- Genre: Contemporary
- Run Time: 3:25
Even live, these four Irish women can make us want to listen to an 19th century Austrian Christmas carol on repeat.
37. ‘Joy To The World’ By Aretha Franklin (2006)
- Genre: Soul
- Run Time: 3:02
As of the late 20th century, “Joy to the World” was the most-published Christmas hymn in North America. And Frankin’s upbeat and soulful version just made it even more popular.
41. ‘Last Christmas’ By Wham (1986)
Even though George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley released this song in the ’80s, it didn't hit the top of the charts until 2017.
43. ‘Christmas’ By Darlene Love (1963)
- Genre: Soul
- Run Time: 2:46
Love sang her hit, which is also referred to as “Baby Please Come Home,” for 28 straight years in a row on the David Letterman show. Letterman even dubbed her the “Queen of Christmas.”
44. ‘The Chipmunk Song’ By Alvin & The Chipmunks (1959)
- Genre: Children's
- Run Time: 2:21
Sure, many find the chipmunks to be, well, annoying. But there’s simply something about when Alvin hits his high note that has kids and parents alike singing along to the tune.
51. ‘Happy Holiday’ By Peggy Lee (1965)
- Genre: Jazz
- Run Time: 1:55
Originally performed by (you guessed it) Bing Crosby in the movie Holiday Inn, there’s just something about Lee’s version that gets us in the mood to do our Christmas shopping.
53. ‘Christmas Must Be Tonight’ By The Band (1977)
- Genre: Rock
- Run Time: 3:38
Written by Robbie Robertson, the song was originally recorded in 1975, but it did not appear on The Band's 1975 album, Northern Lights, Southern Cross. In fact, it was re-recorded and later landed a spot on their 1977 album, Island.
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